Getting Started With Adoption, Part 2

The Financing Phase
Continued from previous post

For my husband and I, the question, “Can we afford to adopt?” was a biggie. We adopted in the pre-Federal Adoption Tax Credit days, so there was absolutely no financial assistance available to us.

We looked for an agency that offered a sliding fee payment schedule based on our total gross income for the previous tax year. For agencies that offered only flat fees, we inquired about what every single fee covered, whether there were any “hidden” fees, and when fees were expected to be paid.

Important note: You should NEVER have to pay the bulk of your adoption fees until a child is placed in your home.

Important note #2: Ask whether there are contingencies for refunds or partial refunds should the adoption fail.

Important note #3: If you are adopting domestically, ask who pays hospital fees and the birth mother’s and baby’s medical bills during and after the birth. At many agencies, these fees are covered in the “blanket” fees you pay. At other agencies, these fees are paid on a case-by-case basis.

Important note #4: If you are adopting independently, be wary if a potential birth mother asks you to pay for her food, clothing and/or rent. I know someone who lost nearly $20,000 adopting independently by forking over money directly to a potential birth mother for these items. Different states have different rules and regulations concerning what you can and can’t pay for. If you are “matched” with a potential birth mother, contact your adoption attorney immediately for advice.

These days, there are myriad options for financing adoption. If you’re thinking, “It’s just too expensive; I don’t think I’ll ever be able to afford it,” perhaps you should rethink your decision to adopt. In my experience, if a person is truly committed to adopting, you’ll find a way to make it happen, financially.

My personal Web site, www.laurachristianson.com, currently offers four different articles that explain creative adoption financing methods (click on the “Articles” section).

In the next post…Selecting an agency

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